Flat fire - West Kilburn

Firefighters have issued a reminder of their cooking safety advice following a fire at a block of flats on Bruckner Street in West Kilburn.

Part of a fifth floor kitchen was damaged by the fire. A man and a woman left the building before the Brigade arrived and were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service. The man was taken to hospital. 

The fire is believed to have been accidental and involved a chip pan.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home. 

"Chip pans and cooking with hot oil can be really dangerous and the risk increases when you start frying food more than once. All it can take is for you to become distracted for a few seconds and your cooking oil can quickly go up in flames.” 

Control Officers were called at 1954 and mobilised five fire engines and 35 firefighters from Park Royal, Hammersmith and Euston Fire Stations to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 2129.

Practical steps for safer cooking: 

• Take extra care when cooking with hot oil as it can easily overheat and catch fire. 
• Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil. 
• Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil – oil and water are a dangerous mix. 
• If the oil starts to smoke, it’s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave it to cool. 

Try not to leave cooking unattended on the hob or grill – if you have to leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.